Broadband service: House says no to FCC rules

Broadband service would be more heavily regulated under the FCC. But House votes to repeal its proposed rules for broadband service.

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Peter Morgan/AP/File
n this photo taken Aug. 21, 2010, a Verizon sign is shown at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Verizon has filed a court challenge to new federal regulations that prohibit providers from interfering with Internet traffic flowing over their broadband service. On March 15, 2011, the House voted to repeal those rules.

House Republicans have taken another step toward repealing new Federal Communications Commission rules that prohibit phone and cable companies from interfering with Internet traffic on their broadband networks.

The House Commerce Committee voted 30-23 along party lines Tuesday to overturn the FCC's new "net neutrality" regulations, which aim to prevent broadband providers from becoming online gatekeepers. The rules prohibit broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against Internet content and services, including online calling and Web video services that could compete with their core phone and cable operations.

The FCC's three Democrats voted to adopt the regulations late last year over the objection of the agency's two Republicans.

The rules are also being challenged in federal court by Verizon Communications Inc. and Metro PCS Communications Inc.

The FCC had no comment.

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